Fashion
Castle Mark gains OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 Special Articles Certification
Castle Mark has taken a significant step forward in product safety and sustainability by achieving OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 certification for its finished products. Although the company had long been using certified PU materials, increasing buyer requests encouraged them to extend certification to their complete product range.
Castle Mark, a Taiwan-headquartered furniture maker with production in Dong Guan, China, has become the first to achieve OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 certification under the ‘Special Articles’ supplement for its recliners with electronic components.
Guided by TESTEX, the move boosts brand trust, sustainability credentials, and buyer confidence, positioning it as a pioneer in safe furniture.
Initially, Castle Mark was unsure whether certification would apply to its category, since the products combine textile and non-textile elements. With the guidance of TESTEX, which introduced the Special Articles Supplement and provided training, the process was completed successfully. This supplement clarifies which components must be tested, such as textile parts in contact with skin, and which are excluded, such as frames or mechanical elements.
The certification has already strengthened Castle Mark’s brand image. Buyers have welcomed the move, recognising the company as a pioneer in safe and sustainable furniture. Although certification was only received in August 2025, the company expects a steady rise in sales, supported by TESTEX’s marketing initiatives across social media, PR, and international exhibitions. More importantly, Castle Mark views the certification as a way in which it can contribute to the brand-building of its partners, ensuring shared growth.
While it is too early to track direct sales increases, the company believes the OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 label will boost buyer confidence, create new opportunities, and underpin long-term growth. Compared with other industry certifications, Castle Mark values OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 for its trusted, globally recognised system. The clear testing procedures, alignment with international legal requirements, and consumer recognition provide strong support for positioning Castle Mark as a responsible manufacturer.
Feedback from buyers and retail partners has been overwhelmingly positive, and Castle Mark is determined to communicate the certification widely. Beyond product labelling, the company integrates the achievement into its website, catalogues, brochures, and trade fair presentations. With TESTEX’s support, visibility will continue to grow across social and professional channels.
Castle Mark has also praised the collaboration with TESTEX, noting the organisation’s responsive guidance and hands-on support throughout the process. TESTEX representatives visited the factory twice, introduced the OEKO-TEX product range, and provided quick feedback whenever needed.
TESTEX’s Sales and Marketing Manager summed up the partnership: “We are very pleased to support Castle Mark on their journey towards OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 certification. This collaboration demonstrates how the Special Articles Supplement enables even complex finished products, such as furniture, to be certified according to OEKO-TEX criteria. By achieving this certification, Castle Mark not only ensures product safety but also strengthens trust with sustainability-focused buyers and consumers. We look forward to continuing our cooperation and promoting safe and sustainable development in the furniture industry.”
Note: The headline, insights, and image of this press release may have been refined by the Fibre2Fashion staff; the rest of the content remains unchanged.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (HU)
While rates initially jumped in early January, weak underlying demand and the potential return of vessels to the Suez Canal are creating a volatile environment for shippers, it noted.
Carriers pushed through general rate increases (GRIs) in early January this year, briefly lifting China-to-US West Coast rates above $3,000 per forty-foot equivalent unit (FEU). However, these hikes were largely unsustainable due to weak volumes, with rates quickly correcting to the $1,800-$2,200 range by mid-month, the logistics and supply chain market research firm said in an insights brief.
Asia’s ocean freight market is navigating short-term seasonal surges and long-term structural overcapacity, Ti said.
Asia’s air freight market is seeing a significant ‘post-peak’ correction following a record-breaking end to 2025.
Warehousing capacity in the Asia-Pacific is under severe strain in late January as manufacturing slows and labour shortages emerge ahead of the Lunar New Year.
Seasonal demand ahead of the Lunar New Year (starting mid-February 2026) has pushed North Europe rates to roughly $2,700 per FEU as of mid-January. This is a significant recovery from the October 2025 lows of $1,300 per FEU.
Despite a peak ahead of the holiday, Intra-Asia rates have begun to ‘cool’ in mid-January, settling at an average of $661 per 40-feet container as new services and capacity entered the market.
The Asian air freight market is witnessing a significant ‘post-peak’ correction following a record-breaking end to 2025. While rates have dropped sharply from their December highs, demand remains resilient in key high-tech sectors, and a ‘mini-peak’ is expected in late January ahead of the Lunar New Year.
Spot rates from major hubs like Hong Kong and Shanghai fell significantly in early January as year-end peak season demand evaporated.
Despite the rate correction, global air cargo tonnages jumped by 26 per cent in the first full week of January 2026 compared to the end-of-year slump, with the Asia-Pacific region seeing an 8 per cent year-on-year (YoY) increase in chargeable weight.
Volumes from Southeast Asia to the United States rose by 10 per cent YoY in early January, driven by importers continuing to diversify sourcing away from China.
Warehousing capacity in the Asia-Pacific is under severe strain in late January as manufacturing slows and labour shortages emerge ahead of the Lunar New Year.
India closed 2025 with 36.9 million sq ft of warehouse leasing (16-per cent YoY growth), a trend continuing into early 2026 with high demand in Delhi National Capital Region and Chennai.
After a period of oversupply, development pipelines are expected to drop by a third by 2027, making 2026 a critical ‘inflection point’ for occupiers to secure quality space before terms tighten again.
Fibre2Fashion (DS)
The goal, however, is challenging due to external pressures, including stricter technical barriers, reciprocal tariffs on goods exported to the United States, and the European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) for selected industrial products.
Therefore, major export industries in the country have started restructuring and adjusting strategies early in the year to seize market opportunities.
Following a record export value of $475 billion achieved in 2025—up by 17 per cent YoY—Vietnam aims at adding nearly $38 billion to the figure in 2026.
Major export industries in the country have begun restructuring and adjusting strategies early in the year to seize market opportunities.
The textile and garment sector, which earned $46 billion in 2025, has set a target of $50 billion in exports in 2026.
The textile and garment sector, which earned $46 billion in 2025, has set a target of $50 billion in exports in 2026.
The sector is focusing on strengthening domestic supply chains, raising localisation rates and making more effective use of free trade agreements (FTAs), Vu Duc Giang, chairman of the Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association (VITAS), was cited as saying by a domestic media outlet.
Exports may grow by 15-16 per cent this year, driven by market expansion and a shift towards higher-value products, according to MB Securities’ Vietnam Outlook 2026 report.
Fibre2Fashion (DS)
The data showed that the decline was driven mainly by weaker domestic exports, with goods produced in the Netherlands down 8 per cent YoY. In contrast, re-exports to the US rose 3.9 per cent during the period. Exports to the US have fallen every month on a YoY basis since July, CBS said in a press release.
Trade flows were influenced by uncertainty around US import tariffs. In the first half of 2025, trade between the two countries continued to grow, possibly as companies advanced shipments ahead of announced tariff measures.
Goods exports from the Netherlands to the United States fell 4.7 per cent YoY to €27.5 billion (~$33 billion) in the first ten months of 2025, driven by an 8 per cent drop in domestic exports, according to CBS.
Re-exports rose 3.9 per cent, while tariff uncertainty weighed on trade.
Imports from the US increased 1.9 per cent to €48.1 billion (~$57.7 billion).
Meanwhile, imports from the United States rose 1.9 per cent YoY to €48.1 billion (~$57.7 billion) in the first ten months of 2025.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (SG)
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